Category: Cell Phones

You should know how to track your cell phone even before you actually face a situation that warrants tracking it. As the two popular adages say — there is no point in crying over spilt milk, but it is always better to be safe than sorry!

Tracking your cell phone

You need to start the process of tracking long before you activate it and the first thing to do is to install the tracking apps. Depending on the model and category of your cell phone, you will need an app that is designed specifically for your smart phone/non-smart phone.

There are plenty of apps to choose from. Check your provider’s specifications and website as a starting point.

What to do if you have lost your phone and no apps were installed?

Well, there is no reason to lose hope yet. Some smart phones do offer the ability to download apps remotely, even when your phone is not in your possession.

If you want to check the latest location after that, you simply need to use another phone (ask help from your family/friends) to send a text message to your phone and type in the word “locate”. You will receive a reply text message with the exact location.

iPhone users have an advantage

iPhone users have their own category of apps to facilitate cell phone tracking. Make sure the app is installed on your phone.

As soon as you do this, your phone’s location will be displayed to you on a map. If you just lost your phone and think that it is somewhere nearby, you can use this app to remotely signal your iPhone to make a loud noise for two long minutes.

Non-smart phones may need assistance

Non-smart phone users who forgot to install Google apps will have to contact their service provider for help. They can remotely activate the GPS chip on your phone, but this service may not be free and service providers are known to charge a fee for it.

It really does not matter what thing, person or activity forms the focus of your addiction, because every addiction is potentially dangerous. Cell phone addiction is one of the many hazards gifted to humanity as a result of modern technology and development.

Why does cell phone addiction matter?

Cell phone addiction is a matter of concern because all addictions are dangerous but it also becomes a matter of huge concern when you look at the age group that is most vulnerable to this bane. While cell phone users fall in a wide age spectrum between ages of five and eighty, the ones that consider cell phones as a part/appendage of their own body are the teens and young adults.

What dangers can cell phone addiction cause?

In addition to the glaring lack of focus and attention in all the other activities that falls outside the sphere of the cell phone, there could be some serious issues related to health as well. None of the research studies have been conclusive yet, but there are widespread fears of long standing cell phone addiction leading to cancer, headaches, brain tumors, and other diseases. We can’t comment on these studies yet because there is intense debate within the scientific community.

Is it possible to avoid this addiction?

Nothing is impossible if you really are determined. The first step towards breaking this dangerous cell phone addiction is to acknowledge and accept that you indeed have a problem and you need a solution to it. Once you have that out of your way, here are three tips to break away from cell phone addiction that may be worth giving a try:

Fix a time schedule for cell phone usage

People who are addicted to cell phones display a common pattern of behavior. They keep checking and re-checking their phones to see if they have received any emails or notifications from their social media profiles. There is no harm in checking your phone once every two/three hours, but you will see addicts doing this once in every five minutes or less.

Schedule a fixed time for checking your phone for emails and stick to this schedule.

Focus on the moment

Cell phones are meant to facilitate easy interaction and communication between people. Sadly, the current trend is that these gadgets actually interrupt and disrupt face to face conversations and interactions. Make it a point to either switch off or activate the silent mode of your cell phone while you engage in face-to-face conversations and interactions.

This will not only help you break away from cell phone addiction, but also will add value to your face to face conversations. People around you would certainly appreciate your gesture as a sign of respect.

Things are less important than you think

Most of the cell phone addicts seem to share the common view that they might miss out on something very urgent if they do not keep checking their cell phones every moment. No, that’s a myth! If it’s so urgent as to warrant your immediate attention, you will receive a call. If the message is on email, it can definitely wait for at least eight to twelve hours.

As much as we love our cell phones, paying the bill is certainly something we don’t look forward to. Fortunately, there are many legitimate ways to cut your cell phone bill to literally pennies a day. We will share a few strategies that have worked in the past:

Go prepaid

If you have access to a phone at work and home, it would make a lot of sense to cut down your cell phone use. In addition to the reduction in “radiation absorption,” you will be padding your bank account with hundreds of extra dollars every year. It is much simpler than you think.

Instead of opting for a monthly contract, consider signing up for a prepaid cell phone plan. You can choose prepaid plans with a variety of options. From monthly usage plans to “pay only when you use” plans there are plenty of options, some as low as a few cents a day.

Furthermore, you pay for prepaid plans in advance so there is very little scope to go overboard. In fact, prepaid plans should be named “re-paid” plans as they are so effective in cutting cell phone bills.

Flat rate options are the best

Cell phone carriers are a competitive lot and if you follow the industry closely, you will notice that there are less than ten major carriers that control a major proportion of the market share. Often, in a bid to out-perform each other, these carriers roll out promotional plans and deep discounts that ultimately benefit consumers.

Some plans offer low cost, unlimited use plans with the option of bundling unlimited phone time, texts, and Web and data use for a low flat monthly rate.

Family plans are easy on the budget

Cell phone carriers love “volume customers”. If a family of seven signs up with a single carrier, it could be a win-win for everyone, including the carrier. Often, the savings are passed on the consumers in the form a low cost family plan. In addition to the savings, calling family members within the same network could be very cost-effective (and sometimes free) as well.

Eliminate features you don’t need

Some features are absolutely necessary whereas others are just “money makers” for cell phone companies and these are the ones you can usually do without. Go through your cell phone bill with a tooth comb and find out if you are signed up for features that you don’t really need. Eliminating just a few of these “extras” could bring your bill down significantly.

Say goodbye to apps you don’t need

Some smartphone users are charged with a heavy bill for excess data utilization. You may be surprised but a few apps could consume a lot of bandwidth and increase your monthly bill accordingly. Don’t download apps that you don’t need. Stick to the ones that truly benefit you.

Prepaid cell phones plans are now gradually coming in to focus and consumers are realizing the advantages of owning one. But as soon as you decide to end the war between contract phones and prepaid phones and favor the latter, the next logical question that arises is how to compare prepaid cell phone plans and get the best deal. Well, if you too have been struggling for an answer, let me help you with these five handy tips:

Models of phones

Just like contract cell phones, prepaid cell phones, too, are available in various models, each fulfilling an individualistic need. But the problem with low end phones is that though they are cheaper, you may have to miss out on certain features if your budget is restricted. Similarly, it goes without saying that prepaid phones with more and better features could cost a lot extra.

Likewise, you may prefer the looks and features of few models and dislike the others. Every user has a specific set of choices. Some users like to flaunt their stylish cell phones whereas others like you and me would go for functionality. You can choose the best one according to your budget and personal preferences.

As a general norm, slightly older version phones could be significantly cheaper.

Coverage area according to your usage

The next most important feature that you will want to check out is the coverage area with each of the phone plans. There is no point in choosing the cheapest prepaid cell phone plan, if it does not offer coverage in areas that you are expecting to be in more often.

Special features on your prepaid phone

Sometimes, there is some kind of feature that you cannot imagine living without. Like for example, you cannot compromise on your mobile Internet use or maybe it is the video calling facility that you want most. You will have to sieve through the various options that are available and choose the cell phone plan that offers your chosen feature.

Deals within the plans

Different plans have different deals that make them attractive to customers. Some plans may offer unlimited SMS to other numbers within the same provider cycle, while other plans may allow you to send unlimited SMS to all numbers, if you agree to pay a small amount per month and so on. Some plans offer subsidized rates between certain timings of the day or maybe certain days of the week or special occasions like national holidays and so on.

Always remember not to select any prepaid cell phone pan without comparing between offers by the various cell phone service providers, using the criteria mentioned above. It sure feels like a big effort when you start out with the comparison, but believe me, you will not regret doing it at all. After all a penny saved is a penny earned and you’ll definitely save more than pennies with such a detailed comparison.

Cheap is a word that is typically used to degrade someone or something, but it magically transforms to denote something quite the opposite when it comes to money. Who does not value cheap stuff? Now, if it comes to something of daily use like phone plans, getting cheap cell phone service plans are like icing on the cake. Keeping that in mind, here are five great ways to get cheap cell phone service plans:

Use your negotiation skills

Yes, let your negotiation skills come out of the boardroom for a while. Phone companies are operating in a highly competitive market, so negotiating with your cell phone company is the easiest route to getting some discounts. You won’t be able to negotiate a cheap plan during the very first call. It might take several layers of escalation and persistence. Be prepared for that.

Check out the various options available

Do not limit yourself to your existing plan; check out the offers that other service providers have in the offing. You can do this online at DontSpendMore.com. We have a section devoted to an extensive comparison of various phone plans.

Try a family plan

Most of the companies have special offers in their family plan. In case, all of your family members are using the same service provider, you should definitely enquire about your provider’s family plan offers. Some providers may offer unlimited calling between the registered numbers in the family plan, for a fixed charge per month. You may be surprised but this simple strategy can save you hundreds of dollars.

After family comes company

Just like family plans, there are corporate plans as well. You can use these kind of plans to manage your call charges and keep them under control, when calling team members or colleagues working in the same company and using the same service provider.

Budget on extra and costly features

Having the freedom to surf the web on your mobile phone is no longer a luxury. I am well aware of this fact and yet I would go as far as to suggest that you consider saying no to mobile internet. This is one features that can dig a hole in your wallet each month. The worst part is that you really cannot restrict yourself to using just so many minutes or hours a day on the mobile internet, because if you are seeking information on the web, the loading times and connection times of certain sites can vary hugely and you have absolutely no control over them.

As it is, you might be having free and unlimited access to the internet on your computer, while you are at home / at office. The only time that you are kept away from the net is when you are commuting or in away from both home and office. If you really are desperate to get cheap cell phone service plans, you should prepare yourself to give up on such luxuries (oh, sorry! Let us say necessities instead) and stick to the rudimentary stuff.

Go for flat rate plans

These days, so many cell phone companies have unlimited bundled plans (calls, Web, text) that can offer  a phenomenal rate and incredibly great packages.

Finally, check out what the government is offering

If you fall below a certain income level, you should check what the local, state, and federal government is offering for individuals at your income level. Most of the time, these plans are absolutely free.

If you own a cell phone you already have this thought playing at the back of your mind that your phone is vulnerable to the evil designs of some hacker, whose face you haven’t yet seen or will never ever see. The hidden identity of a hacker only adds to the fear, making it more sinister.

It has become increasingly common to hear and learn of cell phones getting hacked remotely, and sensitive data being pilfered in the process. You can use the following as preliminary suggestions to protect your cell phone from nosy hackers:

Use a password lock to protect your cell phone

Passwords are sometimes the most secure of all locks for your cell phone. But do not waste this golden opportunity by using passwords that can be easily guessed even by a teenager. Try and make the password as hard to guess as you can. It is best to avoid obvious ones like your name, names of your kids or spouse or your date of birth. Try using ‘tougher to break combinations’ like an odd word, with varying case for some letters and some odd number or punctuation mark in the mix.

Don’t leave your Bluetooth turned on at all times

You have the facility of turning the Bluetooth facility on your phone, on and off. The consequence of a small act of oversight for failing to turn it off after use can turn out to be quite enormous. Remember that your Bluetooth is the gateway to your phone’s data and leaving it on at all times is like literally leaving the doors wide open for any interested hacker to invite himself/herself to hack your phone.

Also, do not agree to accept data shared by someone whom you do not know very well.

Keep your anti-virus software updated at all times

You can easily get access to robust anti-virus software for your cell phone. But softwares keep getting updated at frequent intervals, and it is your responsibility to check for latest updates and ensure your version is up-to-date at all times. No matter how efficient an anti-virus software is, using the older versions is a huge threat to the security of your cell phone. Updates are created with an intention to rectify any known security issues, errors or problems that the older version displayed.

Say no to all data from strangers

Sometimes you receive an SMS, MMS or some other file that seem to originate from some unknown number.  At times you also receive e-mails with an interesting or urgent message in the subject line from someone whom you do not recognize. Do not ever make the mistake of clicking and opening such messages, because it is possible for hackers to automatically download and install virus on your phone when you do so.

Hackers are technologically very sound but you need not make their job easier by leaving the doors wide open for them. Use the tips suggested in this post with determination and you will hopefully not be among those whose cell phones got hacked. You could also learn further information to protect your cell phone. Your manufacturer’s safety instructions should cover these and other strategies to protect your cell phone from hackers.

Cell phone thefts are so common nowadays that almost every other cell phone owner writes to us asking about ways to protect cell phones.

What makes cell phone protection so crucial?

It is not just about the loss of a handy gadget that bothers people. Rather, the value of a cell phone far exceeds its original cost price as a result of the data that it normally stores. How many of us are guilty of storing our entire personal lives on our little cell phones? The answer: Almost every one of us! And it goes without saying that what is personal can quickly become a source of anxiety, fear, embarrassment and distress when it falls into the hands of an unscrupulous stranger.

Not to mention the others who take cell phone dependence a step further and store many of their crucial financial details on their phones as well. These are the ones who use their mobile browser to login to their bank accounts, pay for online purchases, store passwords, and enter their credit card details and so on.

Research reports reveal that many of these people do not even bother to logout of their bank accounts and nearly 60% of all cell phone users do not have a password protection system in place to keep their cell phones safe. Such carelessness leaves the door wide open for cell phone misuse and needless data piracy theft.

How to protect your cell phone?

First of all, let me point out to the more obvious tips, which by the way are most ignored ones despite being so obvious! Avoid inviting trouble and tempting thieves by flashing that swanky gizmo of yours. I know you sometimes get an overwhelming urge to post pictures of your latest cell phone on social media sites, especially when you own the latest and popular model in a rarely available color.

Next on the list is to keep your phone secured with a password lock. I know that you think it is easy for hackers to hack your password if they want to, but at least do your bit and make it a bit difficult to access your sensitive data, for the thieves who may not be as technically sound. Often times, it is this one additional layer of hurdle that may discourage these thieves to take their efforts a step further.

Cell phone protection apps

Most of the latest cell phones have GPS function, but have you enabled it? Make it a habit to enable the GPS function as soon as you purchase your new phone. This could be a lifesaver if your phone were ever stolen or lost.

You can also wipe out your sensitive data remotely apps provided by many smartphone companies. This makes the theft of your cell phone a lot more bearable by minimizing it to just the cost price of your gadget.

No matter how hard you try, theft of cell phones may not be so easy to avoid. But you definitely can prevent the loss of sensitive data stored within your phones.